The isolated circuit diathermy
Mitchell, J.P.
Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England 61(4): 287-290
1979
ISSN/ISBN: 0035-8843 PMID: 475272 Document Number: 153948
When using the conventional diathermy generator in surgery failure to apply the plate electrode can always present a serious risk of a thermoelectrical burn at any point where the patient makes contact with an earthed object on the operating table. The recent introduction of the earth-free (isolated circuit) diathermy should, under most conditions, provide complete protection against such risks. However, there are still certain circumstances under which even the isolated circuit may give rise to a thermoelectrical burn. Two such hypothetical examples are described; the sequences of events for these are fairly frequent occurrence.